The Week-end Book.
London: The Nonesuch Press, 1925. 12mo. Second edition. Revised with additions. (First published in 1924. First India paper impression of the Second edition.) Original limp burgundy leather, gilt. Games boards, for draughts and nine men's morris, on endpapers. Printed on India paper except for the blank pages at the end. (Dreyfus 15c). Spine slightly faded. Contents clean. Near fine. Item #5945
The Week-end Book was the greatest commercial success for the Nonesuch Press. Virginia Woolf commented that, 'The Hogarth Press may not make money - but at least we did not publish The Week-end Book'. The numerous publishers who rejected Harry Potter might be consoling themselves with similar thoughts. The direct consequence of an Italian walking tour with rucksacks stuffed with books, The Week-end Book contains poems (about half the book), a list of great poems NOT in the book, songs, recipes, first aid in divers crises (with a concoction pre-empting Viagra), blank pages for the owner's additions and a section on 'Play!' mostly compiled by Eleanor Farjeon and written as if a group of friends were discussing what to do next, with dialogue including, 'What a wet blanket you are, Lucian! I'm ready for Simply Anything!' Guests at the book's launch party had the unexpected pleasure of watching H. G. Wells engage in the newly invented game of Tishy-Toshy.
Price: £25.00